I am back!!!

[agk23 0]

After 10 years since my last jump and probably 15 years since my active involvement in the sport, I am back in the sky!!!

This weekend I did my first 4 jumps after a looong, looong brake from the sport.

It feels so good that I can not even describe.

Those who read my previous posts probably remember that my last jumps I made in russia on a ram air canopy with a riffing system (long tape that is attached to the the spring loaded deployment chute and goes around the edge of the canopy to slow opennings, almost like a slider) and a belly mount round reserve. I was trained in Style and Accuracy and never done any RW. I had 450 jumps with probably 100 of them on rounds and para-commanders.

So here I am, moved a couple of years ago to Canada and decided to get back into sport.

Last fall I visited Skydive Burnaby (near Toronto) and asked them to help me out to get back in the sky. The folks there were exceptionally friendly. It felt very much like I was back on my home DZ in Russia.

I wanted to start in spring, so as soon as I got a note from Burnaby about safety day I was there.

After some ground school with one of the best instructors in this part of the world. I was ready to go up. The only problem, weather was not good, so I had to wait one more week.

Finally, the day arrived. Saturday was pretty windy. I even thought I will not be able to jump again. After some more training and practicing EPs, my instructor OK me for my first jump.

The first jump was nothing complicated - stable exit, three practice throws, three 360 turns, wave-off and throw.

Everything went as planned (considering some pretty rusty practices of the past still stuck in my head).

My instructor was there the whole time filming me (i got my first skydiving video - kind of cool).

Landing was a stand up in the middle of landing area (flared a bit low, but still not bad)

Result - I am cleared for solos!!!

I have done three more jumps on Sunday (two solos and one more with instructor).

My big thanks to all the folks in Burnaby, particularly my instructor.

I will be back next weekend!!!

"Gravity is a habit that is hard to shake off"
Terry Pratchett, "Small Gods"

[woodpecker 0]

Welcome back and good on you for not letting your jump numbers go to your head with your recurrency.

So after such a loooonnnngggg break, how do you like the new geat/technology?

SONIC WOODY #146

There is a fine line between cockiness and confidence -- which side of the line are you on?

[za_skydiver 0]

Well done dude!

I was out for six years, so i know what it feels like to get back in.

Welcome back!

Blue Skies!

Some dream of flying, i live the dream...